Detachable, adjustable shape mop head



Jan. 17, 1956 E. D. SMYTH 2,73,748

DETACHABLE, ADJUSTABLE SHAPE MOP HEAD Filed Dec. 1'7, 1952 6 2:22am J5 a. 8 INVENTOR ATTORNEY 455,970. win 7W United States Patent DETACHABLE, ADJUSTABLE SHAPE MOP HEAD Elbert D. Smyth, Newark, Ohio Application December 17, 1952, Serial No. 326,440

1 Claim. (Cl. -229) This invention relates to dust mops, having specific reference to an improved yarn-containing fabric head of the type which is adapted for detachable application to various sizes and shapes of handle-mounted mop-supporting frames.

There are many types of dust mops now being produced by different manufacturers and available to the purchasing public. Each manufacturer of such mops, however, employs a head frame or block which is different in shape, physical dimensions, materials, and other respects from the frame or block of other manufacturers. These physical differences in the construction of such frame or block have required heretofore the employment of mop heads especially formed for or adapted to be received upon each particular make of head frame, with the result that merchants handling such mop heads as replacement items are required to carry in stock, or to obtain on special orders, a mop head peculiarly suitable to each make of mop.

it is, therefore, a primary object of the present invention to provide a replacement head for floor mops which is so constructed that it is entirely adaptable for application to a relatively wide variety of differently styled or shaped mop blocks or frames, whereby to enable the single replacement head of the present invention to be employed usefully and practically on a considerable number of differently formed frames which heretofore have required specially formed heads for use thereon.

Another object of the invention is to provide a fabric yarn-containing mop head adapted for ready attachment to an associated block member or frame of a mop, and wherein the formation and manner of attachment of the head to the block or frame of the mop are such as to maintain the head when in use thereon in a fiat taut con dition, avoiding undesired wrinkling or bunching thereof even when the shapes or forms of different block or frame members vary substantially.

Another object is to provide a yarn mop head adapted for taut and unwrinkled application to a frame or block of a dust mop, said head comprising a woven fabric sheet of canvas, twill, duck, or the like which carries on one side thereof a multiplicity of strands of relatively soft textile yarn, with the strands of yarn being disposed in relatively closely spaced relation to the marginal edge of the sheet, and wherein the outer edges of the fabric sheet are provided with stitching defining a continuous pocket or channel for the reception of one or more associated drawstrings, the body of the string being disposed within the confines of the continuous stitch-formed pocket, so that when the free ends of the string which project laterally through the stitching are drawn together, the binding forces exerted by the string on the head sheet stitching will be applied uniformly around the stitched edges of the head, adapting the latter quickly and snugly to the physical peculiarities of the frame on which the head is applied and in a manner precluding undesired wrinkling or bunching thereof.

Another object is to provide a mop head of this char- 2,730,748 Eatented Jan. 17, 1956 acter wherein strains occasioned by tensioning the drawstring are removed from the stitching forming the drawstring pocket and are absorbed by reinforcing tapes applied over such stitching where the free ends of the drawstring pass laterally outwardly of such stitching, whereby to prevent the possible tearing or destruction of the pocketforming stitching.

For a further understanding of the invention, reference is to be had to the following description and the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a mop provided with the mop head of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view of one end of the mop head; i

Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken through the mop head on the plane indicated by the line 3--3 of Fig. 2;

Fig, 4 is a view similar to Fig. 2, but disclosing the underside of the mop head when the same occupies a flat position removed from an associated mop frame and, also, with the mop yarn removed therefrom;

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the present mop head applied to a generally triangularly shaped frame;

Fig. 6 is a detailed fragmentary top plan view of the mop head in the region of one of the fabric reinforcing tapes, showing the reinforcing tape in partial horizontal section;

Fig. 7 is a detailed vertical sectional view taken along the line 7--7 of Fig. 6 and showing the relation of the fabric reinforcing tape to the drawstring and pocket forming stitching; and

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary longitudinal vertical sectional view taken through one side'of the present mop head as the same is mounted upon an associated mop frame.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, the numeral 1 designates the frame of a dusting or polishing mop. As previously stated, such frames vary widely in their size, shape, and general construction, each mop manufacturer usually producing a distinctive style. In this instance, the frame 1 has been shown as comprising a generally oval or elliptical wire body 2, although the same may be in the form or shape of a triangle, as shown in Fig. 5, or composed of a Wooden, generally rectangular block, as shown in Fig. 8. In the form shown in Figs. l-5, the wire frame is united intermediately of its length by transverse straps 3 formed with upstanding ears 4. Between these ears there is positioned the lower pivoting end 5 of a handle member 6, a pivot bolt 7 passing through apertures provided in the ears 4 and the end 5 in adjustably uniting the frame of the mop with the handle member.

Adapted for removable application to such a head frame is the yarn-carrying fabric head 8 of the present invention. The head, as shown, is formed to include a sheet 8a of fabric, such as canvas, twill, duck, or the like, having a multiplicity of strands of twisted yarn, indicated at 9, extending outwardly from one side thereof. The body of yarn substantially covers one side of the sheet 8a, but terminates in relatively closely spaced relation to the marginal edges 8b of the sheet, as shown in Fig. 3.

In order to secure the head to the mop frame in an interchangeable, secure, and taut manner, the sheet 8a is sewn marginally to provide the loop stitching, indicated at 10, producing a continuous pocket along the margin 8b. In this instance, there is received within the pocket of the stitching the intermediate portions of a pair of drawstrings 11. While a pair of such strings has been shown, it will be understood that a single string may be used if desired. A pair of such strings, however, provides greater facility in applying and removing the head from the mop frame and rendering it applicable to a Wide variety of frame shapes.

3 In the use of the head, the latter is positioned around the frame of a mop in the usual manner. The free ends 12 of the drawstrings; are grasped by an. operator and drawn together in :amanner stretchingortightening,the.

clotharound 'the zwire b0dy -ofthe head'f-frame;

As -shown particularly in Figs; 61 and. 17, the fabric, head.

8' maybe provided with reinforcing; tapes 15: which are.

loopedaover the marginal edges ofthe.- sheet 8a;wheretheof the drawstrings inaaposition'iholding the.head-torthe1 mop frame-.;and relieveitheselvage: stitching-.10 of such strains. the'isheet .8a by: bar-..ta"cking-;-or suitableadhesive, ,as at 17,: intermediatelymf their. lengths. so thatthe strings will not become accidentally withdrawn from the stitching Ast.stated, in.lieu.of using a relatively lightiwireframe, assindicated .at 2, it will be understood that the frame or head holder may be-of any suitable construction. In Fig. 8, for instance, the: frame, shown at-13; may be of wood, metal, or other solid: substances; whereby; to develop weight to faeilitateits usenin floor-wiping-,.m.opp ing, scrubbing, orr.polishing operations. My; improvedimop head, becauseof its adjustability; as abovedefined, readilyadapts itself to frame variations. The head is characterizedalsoby its economy in production. and .ease 50f application and removal-,withrespect to an associated frame. or holder. Duetotheflatand taut stateof the head when applied. to a frame, the same will enable such-mop devices to perform: theirrintended function more-effectively or. efiiciently over..a.longer period .of time than prior devices of which I am awalze.v

The mannershown in loop stitching the-marginal edges 8b of. the sheet arounditsv outer margins for producing the: continuous pocket for the drawstring not only enables thetclothto be adapted. to mop frames of diiferent sizes and, shapes:and formed ofdilferent. materials, but, in .addition, prevents:unduebunching or tucking of the marginal edges of 'thecloth such as would occur. where the marginal edgevitself ishemmed to :provide..a..channel pocket,

The loop; stitching, asshown, comprises a length of If desired, the drawstrings may berfastened to.

4 thread which, between its positions of penetration through the fabric comprising the marginal edge portions 8b of the cover sheet, has the upper portions thereof extended to provide the relatively elongated, freely flexible, drawstring-receiving loops 16. These loops are of uniform length and when the drawstring,11 is trained therethrough and drawn taut to hold the sheet 802 in place on the frame 1; the; stresses applied: tosther stitching and ltheesheet are substantially uniformly distributed. aroundthe sheet margins, thereby avoiding localized 'bunching or tucking of. the sheet, as.isso oftenencounteredzin priorrconstructions wherein the drawstring .is passed through an elongated confining hem.

I claim:

A mop head for detachable connection with the frame of a mop, comprising: a fabric sheet having a marginal edge; yarn strandstattachedz to;said sheet .in' spaced relationrto said marginal. edge; loop stitching applied around; said'edge and formingan internal freely fiexiblerpockeu betweerrthe sheet'edge.andistitching; a drawstring positioned in said pocket, said string having free manipulatingends extending laterally from said pocket and through 'said. stitching, tightening ofsaidstrings by the drawing. to-.= gether'of: the freerends thereof in placing the string under. tension 'servingto apply uniform tightening .forcesz on: the. sheet ofsaidfabric to draw and maintain thelatter around:

theframe. of amopto whichsaid headis connected; and

fiexiblefabric, reinforcing.strain bearing. tapes secured to saidrsheet and overlappingsaid stitchingtadjacent the points thereon Wherelhe free end portions of said draw string ,extend; laterally through said. stitching. to absorb strains .whichwould normally be imparted to said stitchingwhen'. the ends "of .said drawstringare pulled relatively and laterally together.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

